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YONKERS, N.Y. -- The Yonkers Police Department is taking part in the 2014 "Buckle Up New York" mobilization through June 1.

The initiative, which launched nationwide on Monday, May 19, is a campaign to increase safety-restraint use, including both adult- and child-restraint systems. Hundreds of law enforcement agencies throughout the state are participating in the initiative.

Members of the Yonkers Police Department, including the Traffic Division, will be patrolling the city and setting up check points at various locations during day and night hours.

"Statistics indicate that unrestrained motorists involved in an accident are four times likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury compared to those wearing a seat belt," police representatives said in a press release.

“All too often we are quick to forget or are not mindful about buckling our seat belts," said Mayor Mike Spano. "With over 10,000 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants dying in 2012, we need to be more diligent about promoting safety among our drivers and passengers. Thanks to our Yonkers traffic officers who will be on hand enforcing the law, lives could be saved.”

This initiative is aimed at both education and enforcement of the state’s seat belt law. Yonkers Police Department “Citizen Alerts” and other social media outreach will be conducted to educate the public and announce the start of this initiative. A portable electronic message display will also be deployed throughout the city reminding residents to “Buckle Up.”

“As part of our continuing efforts for traffic safety here in our city, we are participating in this years Click it or Ticket initiative," said Police Commissioner Charles Gardner. "Using social media to educate the public on this simple and life saving safety step will help the public better understand the danger of not using seat belts. It only takes 3 seconds to put on your seat belt to save your life and the lives of others.”